Behavioral Ecology of Mating in the Caribbean Fruit Fly, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract

Observations on the behavioral ecology of Caribbean fruit flies, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew), were made during spring and summer 1981 on Surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora L.) and guava (Psidium guajava L.) host trees. General activity patterns were as follows: males and females were active on fruit in the early morning (males feeding and courting, females feeding and ovipositing), but moved to positions under shaded leaves in the peripheral canopy in mid-morning as light intensity and temperature increased. In the late afternoon males fought for single-leaf territories, puffed to produce sex pheromone, and called with acoustic signals. Almost all matings took place following attraction of females to these displaying males. Males therefore had 2 mating modes, searching on fruit and displaying under leaves. Territorial fights were an important part of the more profitable mode. Large size and residence were correlated with success in fights.